Arsenic found in herbal products

Medical officials in Thailand have found dangerous levels of
arsenic in popular herbal remedies used to treat nausea and
fainting symptoms, The Nation newspaper in Bangkok reported.

Medical officials in Thailand have found dangerous levels of
arsenic in popular herbal remedies used to treat nausea and
fainting symptoms, The Nation newspaper in Bangkok reported.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a notification
late last week, signed by food and drug specialist Wisit
Praweenwongwut, ordering all pharmacies to return four herbal
products to their manufacturers within 15 days of receiving the
notice.

The notification also requires the makers of the four products
to forward the returned products to the FDA within 15 days.

According to the paper, levels of arsenic in the named herbal
products were six times higher than the recognised safety standard,
in some cases making up 4% of the net weight.

A source from the Medical Sciences Department said "The
producers add arsenic to beautify medicines, without knowing it is
poisonous. In ancient times, this kind of arsenic was used for
making fireworks. It is very dangerous."​

The consumption of high amounts of arsenic can damage the liver,
kidneys, lungs, skin and lymph system.

Common symptoms include nasal wounds, skin infection,
respiratory malfunctions and it can also cause skin cancer.

The United States' National Institute of Occupational and Safety
Health has also identified arsenic as a substance that can lead to
the development of lung and lymph cancer.